1 Corinthians 11: 17-34–How To Look At The Lord’s Supper

“The value of any experience depends upon the condition of the heart of those who participate,” observed Warren Wiersbe.

For example, suppose I have a meeting in the Dallas area where my friend Mark preaches. Soon after I arrive, he shares with great excitement that he has two tickets to a Texas Rangers game that evening.

Mark is a huge baseball fan. But suppose I’m not. Suppose I don’t follow baseball, or know any of the Rangers players, or which team is hot and which is not. I would go to the game just to be with Mark. I would enjoy seeing Globe Life Field, eating a hot dog, and the events surrounding the game. However, my experience is diminished if I don’t like baseball.

This is true religiously. It’s true in worship. The value of our worship experience depends on the heart. Our focus. And our spiritual interest. This is particularly true regarding the Lord’s Supper. In Corinth, this was a problem. They had come with an unprepared heart, the wrong focus, and an improper attitude. This text serves both to condemn the problem and correct it.

Wiersbe offers four simple thoughts from this text, which serve as a basis for our thoughts and a guide to how we can have a deeper, more spiritual experience when we partake of the Lord’s Supper.

#1 We should look back (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

Jesus said, “This do in remembrance of me.” What do we remember?

I see the institution of the supper in the shadow of the cross. I see the bread as a representation of his body beaten, battered, bruised, and nailed to an old rugged cross. I see the fruit of the vine as a reminder of the blood dripping from his forehead and face from the crown of thorns, which was meshed into his scalp. And the blood gushing forth from his side as the soldier pierced it with his spear.

I also think back to his virgin birth, His profound teaching, and His sinless life, which serves as my example. I remember why Jesus came to earth–because He loved me so. I’m reminded that He died for my sins. He died in my place. And he died that I might live.

#2 We should look within(1 Cor. 11:27-28, 31-32).

We look back with soberness, self-examination, and self-judgment. We are to take the supper “in a worthy manner.” Of course, this doesn’t mean that we are worthy or sinless, but that we take it with the right attitude, the correct focus, and a proper frame of mind.

It’s a time of reflection. Of discernment. Of seeing my personal relationship with Jesus. And connecting the cross and His crucifixion to my own need and eternal salvation.

#3 We should look around. (1 Cor. 11:17-22).

This doesn’t mean critically. We don’t look around to judge others or lose sight of the meaning of communion. But when I look around, I see my family. We call it “the Lord’s Supper.” Family comes to the table. Family eats together. We come to commune.

The text says, “when you come together.” Together we are one Body in Christ. Together we are family. Together we share a common bond. At communion, I see the unity of our fellowship, the commonality of our faith, the singularity of our hope, and the kinship of our love.

Indeed, “For we being many are one bread, and one body” (1 Cor 10:17).

#4 We should look ahead. (1 Cor. 11:26)

Paul states that whenever we partake of the Supper, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes”.

When I look ahead, I see His return in the clouds. I hear the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. I see the bodily resurrection. I see the righteous rising out of the graves. I see my future victory over death and the devil.

In the words of the hymn by Jim Hill…

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
And I look upon his face
The one who saved me by his grace
When he takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be

What will you experience on Sunday? What will you feel during communion? What will you see when you eat the Supper?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman